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Dietary polyunsaturated fat intake is associated with low-density lipoprotein size, but not with susceptibility to oxidation in subjects with impaired glucose metabolism and type II diabetes: the Hoorn study

European Journal of Clinical Nutrition volume 61, pages 205–211 (2007)Cite this article

Abstract

Objective:

A high monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA) and polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) intake is associated with lower plasma low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol. However, PUFA may increase the susceptibility of LDL to undergo oxidative modifications. The aim of this study was to analyze the association of habitual dietary fat intake with LDL size and oxidizability.

Design:

Cross-sectional.

Setting:

Cohort study.

Subjects:

Seven hundred and fifty-eight subjects with normal, impaired glucose metabolism and type II diabetes.

Interventions:

Mean LDL size was measured by high-performance gel-filtration chromatography. In vitro oxidizability of LDL was determined by measuring lag time, reflecting the resistance of LDL to copper-induced oxidation. Information about dietary fat intake was obtained by a validated food frequency questionnaire.

Results:

PUFA intake (energy percent) was significantly and negatively associated with LDL size in subjects with type II diabetes (standardized beta (95% confidence interval) −0.17 (−0.28;−0.06)) and impaired glucose metabolism – although not statistically significant – (−0.09 (−0.24;0.05)), but not in subjects with normal glucose metabolism (0.01 (−0.10;0.12)) (P-value for interaction=0.02). No significant associations were observed for total, saturated fat and MUFA intake with LDL size. Intake of fat was associated with lag time; however, the small magnitude of the associations suggested that the composition of dietary fat is not a major factor affecting lag time. The same association with lag time was observed in all three glucose metabolism categories.

Conclusions:

In individuals with abnormal glucose metabolism, higher PUFA intake is associated with smaller LDL particle size, but does not alter the susceptibility of LDL to in vitro oxidation.

Sponsorship:

Dutch Diabetes Research Foundation, and the Nederlandse Organisatie voor Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek (NWO).

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Acknowledgements

We thank the research assistants of the Diabetes Onderzoeks Centrum in Hoorn for their cooperation with this study. We also thank Bert Volwater for technical assistance. The project was funded by the Dutch Diabetes Research Foundation (Grant No. DFN 98901) and the Dutch Organization for Scientific Research, NWO (Grant No. 940-35-034).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute for Research in Extramural Medicine, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

    G Bos, M C Poortvliet, J M Dekker, G Nijpels, C D A Stehouwer, L M Bouter & R J Heine

  2. Centre for Prevention and Health Services Research, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Bilthoven, The Netherlands

    G Bos

  3. Department of Clinical Chemistry, Metabolic Laboratory, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

    P G Scheffer & T Teerlink

  4. Center for Nutrition and Health, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Bilthoven, The Netherlands

    M C Ocke

  5. Department of Medicine, University Hospital Maastricht, The Netherlands

    C D A Stehouwer

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  1. G Bos
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Correspondence to G Bos.

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Bos, G., Poortvliet, M., Scheffer, P. et al. Dietary polyunsaturated fat intake is associated with low-density lipoprotein size, but not with susceptibility to oxidation in subjects with impaired glucose metabolism and type II diabetes: the Hoorn study. Eur J Clin Nutr 61, 205–211 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ejcn.1602492

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ejcn.1602492

Keywords

  • Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol
  • oxidation
  • type II diabetes
  • glucose tolerance

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